He's been through the process before, but with a new coaching staff and a host of roster changes a return to the Bills was anything but certain. Veteran linebacker Bryan Scott however, will return to the Bills for the 2013 season as he officially re-signed with the club on Thursday.
His newest contract is the fifth he's had with Buffalo, but he admitted waiting for an offer from the team this year was different.
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"Having been down this road, this year was a little more interesting than years past because of all the changes and seeing so many of the guys they parted ways with," Scott told Buffalobills.com. "Other guys in my class they ended up retiring. It's been very interesting and I kind of approach it the same way and just sit back and try to be patient, but from the very beginning I've wanted to re-sign with Buffalo and hopefully finish my career with this organization."
Scott announced he'd be back with the team on Wednesday on his Twitter account.
Set to turn 32 in April, Scott wasn't sure he'd have the chance to continue his career after the 2012 campaign concluded.
"I wouldn't call it concern, but I did realize that in this league many things happen and they can happen so quickly," he said. "At the end of the year it really was a case of being ready if it was the end of my career and being prepared for what that next step might be. And it really wouldn't have been some huge disappointment if that's the way things ended. I just tried to keep it all in perspective and not get too overanxious."
What likely worked in Scott's favor was the fact that he had one of his most productive seasons with the Bills in 2012. The subpackage linebacker finished tied for the team lead in fumble recoveries with two, was second on the team in interceptions behind Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd with four, finished second in pass breakups behind Stephon Gilmore with eight, was fourth on the team in forced fumbles (2) and had the team's only defensive touchdown last year.
"Even though it was a solid year for me individually as a competitor you always look at the things you can improve on and the things that kind of got away from you," Scott said.
Scott doesn't know for sure, but is anticipating he'll continue serving the defense in his nickel linebacker role on the weak side, and believes after his first full season in that role he can be even more productive in 2013.
"Now settling into that linebacker role, I'm really excited because my game in that spot I've really just seen the tip of the iceberg," he said. "Some people might say I'm long in the tooth, but I feel really good out there. So hopefully I have a few more good years left to prove that."
For a former safety that suddenly found himself a street free agent six years ago it's hard for Scott to believe he's about to begin his seventh season with the Bills.
"When I first stepped into the Bills facility it was on a Tuesday morning for a tryout," said Scott in recalling his 2007 workout. "I wasn't even thinking a day ahead. I was so focused on that tryout and putting the best product on film for them to evaluate.
"It's flown by and we've had ups and downs in the city of Buffalo, but still we're very hungry because we haven't reached the main goal that we want to reach as a team and as an organization. I really feel this year with certain changes and a new attitude I think guys are really hungry to make it happen. To do that and be a part of that is really the best thing that could happen to me in my career."
